Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte production correlates with genetic markers of parasite replication but is not influenced by experimental exposure to mosquito biting.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmodium blood-stage parasites balance asexual multiplication with gametocyte development. Few studies link these dynamics with parasite genetic markers in vivo; even fewer in longitudinally monitored infections. Environmental influences on gametocyte formation, such as mosquito exposure, may influence the parasite's investment in gametocyte production.

Methods

We investigated gametocyte production and asexual multiplication in two Plasmodium falciparum infected populations; a controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study and a 28-day observational study in naturally infected individuals in Burkina Faso with controlled mosquito exposure. We measured gene transcript levels previously related to gametocyte formation (ap2-g, surfin1.2, surfin13.1, gexp-2) or inhi

SUBMITTER: Blanken SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11239461 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature